VAX HUB CLOSES AT FORMER FORD SITE
Belmont site to offer range of immunisations, vaccinations
I’M SO PROUD OF OUR STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF A HISTORIC VACCINATION ROLLOUT. WE HAVE ALL WORKED TOGETHER TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER THROUGHOUT THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
VACCINATION HUB ADMINISTRATION MANAGER JESS TALBOT
THE final Covid vaccination at the former Ford factory in Norlane has been administered, marking the closure of the facility as a hub for the region’s virus fight.
Staff at the hub were packing boxes at the weekend as they prepared for the move to a new “home of vaccination” in Geelong.
Due to the region’s high Covid vaccination rates, the hub will be relocated to a Belmont site, amid decreasing vaccination numbers as most of the community becomes fully protected.
The former Ford factory has been used as a vaccination hub since April 2021.
In April this year, the transition to the site in Reynolds Rd, Belmont, was announced.
The new site, in the former civic function centre at the rear of the Belmont Community Health Centre, will expand its vaccination offerings.
The centre has been offering childhood immunisations and flu vaccinations, and will have a “natural progression” to include the Covid vaccination under the same roof.
The facility, newly renamed Barwon Health Vaccination Centre, will open its doors on May 25.
Vaccination hub administration manager Jess Talbot said the move marked a major milestone for hub staff.
“We are excited to be moving to a smaller venue, as it means vaccination rates in our region are exceptional and our community has come together to protect each other and get vaccinated,” Ms Talbot said.
“I’m so proud of our staff that have been part of a historic vaccination rollout.
“We have all worked together to support each other throughout the past 12 months.”
Barwon South West public health unit co-director Deb Kay said the move was an indication of how far the community had come in the fight against the Covid virus.
“Our community has responded very well to Covid vaccinations, meaning there is only a very small group of people in the region currently unvaccinated,” Ms Kay said.
“This means we are now able to downsize the program and the venue of our Covid vaccines,” Ms Talbot said.
According to federal Health Department data, as at May 15, 75.9 per cent of the eligible population in Greater Geelong had received more than two doses of Covid vaccine.
The Surf Coast recorded 77.4 per cent, while Queenscliffe had 87 per cent, Golden Plains had 73.3 per cent and Colac Otway had 73.4 per cent of the eligible population vaccinated with more than two doses, according to the data.
The Barwon Health Vaccination Centre will continue to offer walk-ins and bookings for the Covid vaccine for all residents aged five years and over.
To book, call 1800 675 398 or visit portal.cvms.vic.gov.au